His Price

Chapter 3

But work out, it didn't as the weeks passed. The both of them weren't able to work peacefully. They were always arguing over ideas and most times, the other co-workers were lost in their argument. Right now, they were arguing again. This time, it was about  unnecessary areas in the company they were cut off.
"Look here, we've got too many unnecessary staff,just look, too many cleaners. I think we should  take out some of  them."
"Take out some of them? You are talking about people here. You can't just take away people's jobs like that. They depend on it you know? That's it! You don't know. You see,here we are like a family both in good and bad. We do things together without anyone getting hurt."
"Now you are taking this personal,  I'm just saying we can pull out some funds__"
"Personal? I've worked years to help this company and if that ain't personal enough then nothing else is."
"Im trying to save a company here and you are not helping."
"That's it! My help is not needed. Do whatever you want, it's your company anyway."
With that Regina went back to her seat leaving the board stunned.
After the meeting, Henry stormed into Regina's office.
"Hey! That stunt you pulled out there, it has to stop.''
"What stunt? And if you don't mind, you might stop yelling because I'm not some stray dog."
"Look! Don't act all innocent with me. I need you to co-operate.  I don't just want you working for me but with me."
"Last time I checked you are the boss and I'm the employee and if you don't mind,Mr Ikeke excuse me as I have some documents to work on."
"There! That's what I'm talking about. You say this company is one big family but although everyone is  on the first name basis,you choose unnecessary formalities...Reg." He pressed on calling her by the pet name he had given her.
"Exactly! That's what I want and in exchange  cut the crap of calling me Reg! My name is Regina! And use the right formalities."
"What are you scared of? He placed his hand on the table coming closer. While Regina backed away in response.
" Nothing, I have nothing to be scared of."She looked away while she pretended to arrange the document on her desk.
"I know you. Whenever you put up a front, cause that's what this is, you are scared of something."
For a moment, Regina lost her balance. He was right. She was scared. The reason she stressed on formalities was because she was scared of acting unprofessional and immature. She didn't want him to see  the effect he had on her,that she was still hurting.
"I'm not scared of anything. You won't leave? You'll just have to excuse me". After Regina left,Henry decided to go pump himself with more caffeine when he bumped into a lady.
"Oops! Miss I'm so sorry!"
"No...it's okay!" The lady settled herself and looked at him.
"Stacy?"
"Stacy? Oh my Stacy! Is this really you?
" Henry? Ah! It really is you." They both hugged for a while.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to see Regina whom I guess will be so upset if she saw the both of us talking.''
"Hmm. Regina! Always the tough one! He muttered to himself.
"Well could we go to a place more private where Regina is not likely to see us talking?"
"You're right. Let's go to my office. She's not going to ever come there."
In his office they began discussing and reminiscing memories.
"So how's life treating you Stacy?"
"Good. I got married last year."
"That's great! Awesome! At least someone around here is having luck. And all these years you maintained contact with Regina."
"Yeah. Talk about Regina, she hates you."
"I know"
"I don't even know why you came back here."
"Trust me, I didn't know she worked here. I didn't even know where she was in the world. It was like she just... vanished."
"You hurt my Friend real bad. Well after you got her pregnant and denied it so shamelessly, she left Lagos and went to Enugu where she had the baby and later on continued her education."
For a moment Henry blanched. "She had the baby?" He stammered. All these years the existence of his child had been opaque but now it just became completely real. Regina had nursed his child in her womb and all he had done was hurt her. At this realization he cursed himself even more.
"Yes she did. A strong healthy boy." Stacy smiled as she remembered the face of her God-son.
"A boy? My son." Henry was so close to tears. His son. He couldn't explain the feeling that was swelling in his heart at the knowledge of his son's existence.
"Well she contacted me,told me not to disclose her location to anyone at Achievers High School. Especially you. It's not like you showed interest anyway." She couldn't help but eye him for that.
"Anyways after her schooling with a top class result, she got a job here in this company here in Port-Harcourt immediately. My girl turned out better than most people I know."
Yeah. Regina was always good. Back in those days,she was one of the most popular girls,head of the dance and drama club. Always smart and beautiful. " Henry couldn't help but smile as he remembered.
"I never understood why you left her when she needed you most."
"I was a coward Stacy. Unlike you, you stood by your friend all these while doing what I was unable to do. Thank you so much Stacy." He said hugging her.
"It's okay. But I do think she deserves an explanation from you. I have to go now. Uhm.. Gina is expecting me."
"Okay..it was nice seeing you again."
"You too."
Ah Stacy! An explanation? Not in this world. Regina would never understand. She will only hate him the more when she finds out the truth. Henry thought within him after Stacy left his office.
***********
Not having anything much to do at home,rather than have himself be drenched by the storms of his life,he decided to go to the office earlier than usual and seek some refuge in work. It always worked. As he walked into the building, He was welcomed by the receptionist.
"Hey Mr. Henry! Good morning! Looking good!"
"Oh! Hi Jane! Thanks"
"Here. I bought you some hot coffee. I noticed how you loved pumping caffeine into your system every morning." She handed him the cup as she lavished flirty smiles at him while she stripped him naked with her gaze. At the back of his mind it looked funny. Was Jane actually flirting with him? She shouldn't waste her time on him. He had given up on dating. Sure at the university, there had been a girl or two but he just couldn't put himself into it. So he put himself into something more rewarding- Work. He never really gave a thought to the reasons why.
Just then, Regina walked in, beautiful as usual with a morning flush over her face.
As Henry beheld her form,he couldn't help but think to himself again. Of course he knew the reasons why. No matter how much he denied it.
As Regina walked in, her gaze was captured by Henry in his Navy blue suit,crisp white shirt and blue tie. Henry always had a good build even as a boy. That was one of the reasons she had been attracted to him back then. Talk about attraction, he looked so attractive and handsome, she felt she was back in her teenage years.
"Oh cut it Gina! You don't go appreciating a man who left you hanging." She chided her beating heart. Briefly out of tribute to her mum's training, she greeted him politely and walked into Julianne's office.
"Hi July!"
" Girlfriend! What's up? Why did you come in so early?"
"Just had some unfinished business."
"Well I have got some good news. "
Regina eyed her friend,she didn't trust the mischievous look in Julianne's eyes.
"So my cousin came into town. He's so handsome. He's single... I told him about you."
Regina couldn't help but curse under her breath. She knew all these antics were out of love but she wasn't comfortable with it.
"Oh no you didn't girl!"
"Well it's too late to panic now. I sent his papers to Human Resource Department and he's been hired by Rock Hands. He will be here in like...oh! Now!"
Gina turned in her chair to see a tall lightskinned man walk in with a smug on his face. She had to admit, he was nice looking, maybe a catch for some free girl out there. But not her.
"Hi Ladies!"
"Gina, meet my cousin Gentle, Gentle, Gina."
She extended her hand which the man held onto more than she wanted.
"Wow! You look way more beautiful than your description. The pleasure is all mine."
"Oh please!" She laughed his flatter off as she reclaimed her hand.
"Don't mind him,he's just a huge flatterer."

******
During lunch break, Henry was about to walk into the cafeteria when he saw Regina, Julianne and some guy sharing a table. Regina was laughing to something the guy had said. A huge  smile was pasted on her face. He missed her giving him that smile. He just stood there staring at them with a wanting look. Suddenly he felt a tug on his arm. He looked down to see Jane hook her arm in his.
"Jane?"
"Don't you want to eat? You can share a table with me. Don't worry I won't eat you." They both laughed and walked to the counter to order. But their laughter had attracted Regina and she found herself dismayed by the sight of them together.
"Oh my! Is Jane pinning her hooks on the boss already? Regina reached for her drink to hide her dismay. Julianne turned to view the aforementioned couple that had caught her friend's attention.
Shrugging her shoulders, she smiled mischievously at Regina. "Looks like it. She never wastes time. Unlike some people who were offered an opportunity on a platter.''
" Oh come on! Please you know that's not my style."
"Yea yea." They laughed it off and continued their lunch. But Regina couldn't help staring at the couple and wondering how many relationships Henry had had.  

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This is just the beginning dearies

Hmmm where could this meeting between Stacy and Henry lead?